CarBrief

NHTSA has 379 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Mustang[1]. Reports of lost power, electrical glitches and a failing rearview camera stand out, and one seat belt recall still has no final remedy[2][3][4][5].

379owner complaints[1]
5recalls[6]
16–25MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 379 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 13 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 11 injuries and 2 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The largest groups by part:

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 82
Electrical system[3] 73
Unknown or other[9] 70
Back over prevention (rearview camera)[4] 52
Power train[10] 29

Engine and power train. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe the car suddenly losing power or stalling, often with a wrench warning light. Several say the dealer blamed the throttle body[2][10]. The median mileage at failure for power train complaints is 5,500, so these reports come early in the car's life[10]. For engine complaints the median is 43,966 miles[2]. A few owners also describe drive line vibration, oil use or an oil leak[2][10]. The oil leak matches a recall covered below[11].

Electrical system. Owners in our sample describe screens and audio cutting out, door lock trouble, air conditioning evaporator failures and a loss of power steering. One describes a fire that started near the glove box[3]. The median mileage at failure is 32,000[3]. Fires are a small part of the picture overall, since 7 of the 379 complaints mention one[1].

Rearview camera. Owners in the sample describe a camera that goes blank, flickers or shows an unavailable message. Some link it to a wiring harness. Several say they waited for recall parts after a 2022 notice[4][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this car, newest first. NHTSA lists five recalls for this car, newest first. Four of them also cover other model years[5][13][12][11].

Not every car is covered by every recall. Ford says VINs for 25V614 became searchable on NHTSA.gov in September 2025, so check the exact car[5].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine, the gearbox and the body style. The table shows city, highway and combined MPG, with EPA's estimated yearly fuel cost.

Version City / Hwy / Combined Yearly fuel cost
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd[7] 22 / 31 / 25 $2,700
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6)[15] 21 / 31 / 25 $2,700
2.3L 4-cyl turbo convertible, Automatic (S6)[16] 20 / 29 / 23 $2,900
3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd[17] 17 / 28 / 21 $3,200
3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6)[18] 19 / 27 / 22 $3,050
5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6)[19] 16 / 25 / 19 $3,550
5.0L 8-cyl convertible, Automatic (S6)[20] 15 / 23 / 18 $3,700
5.0L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd[21] 15 / 25 / 19 $3,550
Shelby GT350, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, premium fuel[22] 14 / 21 / 16 $5,150

The other versions run on regular fuel[7][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. EPA bases the yearly cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not on prices when the car was new[7].

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 2-door rear-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall[8]. It also gets 5 stars for frontal, side and rollover protection[8]. Its rollover risk is 8.1%[8]. For the C RWD version, our data has only the rollover result, which is also 5 stars with 8.1% risk[23].

Engine and size

EPA lists these horsepower ratings for 2016 test cars:

These sizes are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars. Every version listed is 188 in long, 76 in wide and has a 107 in wheelbase[28][29][30][31].

Version Height Curb weight
V6/EcoBoost coupe[31] 54 in 3,523 lb
V6/EcoBoost convertible[30] 55 in 3,693 lb
GT coupe[29] 54 in 3,706 lb
GT convertible[28] 55 in 3,871 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

1995: 616 complaints, 5 recalls19951996: 286 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 214 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 305 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 272 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 395 complaints, 4 recalls2001: 249 complaints, 1 recalls2002: 166 complaints, 0 recalls2003: 231 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 130 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 868 complaints, 5 recalls2006: 575 complaints, 5 recalls2007: 615 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 347 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 181 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 261 complaints, 5 recalls2011: 466 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 469 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 271 complaints, 5 recalls2014: 359 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 438 complaints, 11 recalls20152016: 379 complaints, 5 recalls37920162017: 268 complaints, 6 recalls2018: 196 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 150 complaints, 6 recalls20192020: 120 complaints, 8 recalls2021: 55 complaints, 6 recalls2022: 50 complaints, 9 recalls2023: 15 complaints, 6 recalls20232024: 84 complaints, 12 recalls2025: 19 complaints, 6 recalls2026: 8 complaints, 5 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Mustang model year. The 2016 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19956165
19962863
19972142
19983054
19992724
20003954
20012491
20021660
20032311
20041301
20058685
20065755
20076155
20083475
20091815
20102615
20114664
20124696
20132715
20143593
201543811
20163795
20172686
20181963
20191506
20201208
2021556
2022509
2023156
20248412
2025196
202685

NHTSA lists 379 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2016 Mustang[6]. The 2015 model has 438 complaints and 11 recalls, and the 2017 model has 268 complaints and 6 recalls[6]. So 2016 sits between its neighbors on complaints and has the fewest recalls of the three. Other years with more complaints than 2016 include 2005 with 868, 2007 with 615 and 2011 with 466[6].

These counts are not adjusted for sales and they come from unverified reports. They show how much has been filed, not which year is more reliable[6].

Should you buy a used 2016 Mustang?

The 2016 Mustang earns 5 crash stars in the tested 2-door version[8]. Its complaint record is a reason for a careful inspection, mainly for power loss, electrical glitches and the rearview camera[2][3][4]. Confirm that every recall was done on the specific car, and know that the seat belt recall 25V614 has no final remedy yet[5]. Fuel costs vary a lot, from $2,700 to $5,150 a year in EPA estimates, depending on the engine[7][22]. Treat the complaint counts as a checklist of things to look at, not a score[1].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Mustang?
The biggest named parts on file with NHTSA are engine with 82, electrical system with 73 and back over prevention with 52[2][3][4]. Another 70 complaints are filed under unknown or other[9]. In the sample we read, owners describe lost power, electrical glitches and a rearview camera that goes blank.
Does the 2016 Ford Mustang have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists five: seat belt pretensioners, two rearview camera recalls, an oil cooler tube hose and seat belt and child tether anchors[5][13][12][11][14]. The seat belt pretensioner remedy is not yet available[5].
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Mustang get?
EPA combined ratings run from 16 MPG for the Shelby GT350 to 25 MPG for the 2.3L turbo with a manual or automatic gearbox[22][7][15].
Is the 2016 Ford Mustang safe?
NHTSA gives the 2-door rear-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall[8]. The rearview camera and seat belt recalls are worth checking on any car you consider[5][13].
Is 2016 a good year for the Mustang?
Our data cannot rank reliability. The 2016 model has 379 complaints and 5 recalls, against 438 and 11 for 2015 and 268 and 6 for 2017[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 379 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Ford Mustang (13 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 11 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 82 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,966). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 73 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 52 complaints name the back over prevention component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Recall 25V614, filed September 12, 2025: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Mustang model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Mustang, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 70 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 29 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 16V779, filed October 26, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses / Lines / Piping / Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 22V082, filed February 16, 2022: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 25V572, filed September 3, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 15V707, filed October 26, 2015: Child Seat › Tether › Connector / Clip. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Mustang, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Mustang Convertible, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 28 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Mustang, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Mustang Convertible, 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Mustang, 5.0L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Shelby GT350 Mustang, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 21 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C RWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 8.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Ford Mustang with 2.3L 4-cylinder: rated 310 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Ford Mustang with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Ford Mustang with 5.0L 8-cylinder: rated 420 hp. www.epa.gov
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Ford Mustang with 5.2L 8-cylinder: rated 526 hp. www.epa.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG GT 2DR CONVERTIBLE RWD: length 188 in, width 76 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,871 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG GT 2DR COUPE RWD: length 188 in, width 76 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,706 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG V6/ECOBOOST 2DR CONVERTIBLE RWD: length 188 in, width 76 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,693 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MUSTANG V6/ECOBOOST 2DR COUPE RWD: length 188 in, width 76 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,523 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.